poleaxe

[pohl-aks]

noun

plural

poleaxes , poleaxed, poleaxing .

1. variant of poleax.

poleaxe

/ ˈpəʊlˌæks /

noun

1. another term for battle-axe

2. a former naval weapon with an axe blade on one side of the handle and a spike on the other

3. an axe used by butchers to slaughter animals

verb

1. (tr) to hit or fell with or as if with a poleaxe

Word History and Origins

Origin of poleaxe¹

C14 pollax battle-axe, from _poll + _axe

Example Sentences

"Overall, the Nikkei would be poleaxed, and global equity markets would also weaken."

Read more on Reuters

However, the Hotline gives no credit in the power ratings for poleaxing FCS opponents.

Read more on Seattle Times

The high temperatures come just four months after Texas power was poleaxed by the February freeze, and only two weeks after the Texas grid wobbled again in its own heat wave.

Read more on Seattle Times

At 44, after more than two decades of unbroken success, he was poleaxed by his first major reversal of fortune.

Read more on The Guardian

The fashion industry has been poleaxed by the pandemic.

Read more on The Guardian